Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan acknowledges challenges in normalizing relations with Syrian regime

ISTANBUL — Following recent Turkish statements on normalizing relations with the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan acknowledged that the process is difficult and complicated, given the current situation in Syria.

During a press conference with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan in Istanbul, Fidan mentioned that negotiations with the Syrian side have been ongoing for a long time but have not yielded results.

Fidan urged Russia and Iran to exert pressure on Damascus to facilitate the normalization process, emphasizing that it will take time.

Fidan also stated that Turkey has not changed its stance regarding the Syrian opposition and has not imposed any orders on them. He indicated that it is normal for the opposition to engage in dialogue with them.

The Syrian regime previously stated that one of its conditions for normalization with Turkey is the liberation of all Syrian territories currently occupied by Turkey.